On July 24, 2019, God called another angel home. Who was this angel? Her name was Judith Olson.
Genie and I attended the Celebration of Life service for Judy on July 29, 2019 at East Freeborn Lutheran Church, rural Albert Lea, Minn.
As we walked into the church, we knew the service would truly be a celebration of Judy’s way of living. The first sign of celebration was the license plate, “Hay-Jud” on her bright yellow Mustang convertible parked in the entryway in full sunlight (Hey Jude is a song by the Beatles).
The service included “Thank God for Kids,” by the Oak Ridge Boys, “Who am I,” by Elvis Presley, and “Angels Among Us,” by Alabama, all songs of her era.
Pastor Matt Griggs was the officiant and per Judy’s instructions he read “The Dash” as Judy had read it when she gave the sermon at East Freeborn Lutheran earlier this spring. (The Dash is the most important part of one’s life, as that is the time between the dates of the beginning and the end of your tombstone). What will the dash on your tombstone represent? Will you be proud of how you lived your dash?
Many of Judy’s offspring had a part in her service as a casket bearer, singer, player of music, speaker, etc. To me, the youngsters releasing butterflies at the gravesite was a sign of Judy’s free spirit life between the dash on her tombstone. One could tell Judy was a special person to all.
Included in the Celebration of Life for Judy was a poem by an unknown author, “To Those I Love and those who Love Me:”
When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy we had so many years.
I gave you love and you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have shown,
But now it’s time I travel alone.
So grieve for awhile for me if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for awhile that we must play apart,
So bless those memories in your heart.
I won’t be far away, for life goes on.
Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near.
And if you listen with all your heart,
You’ll hear all my love around you soft and clear.
And then when you must come this way alone,
I’ll greet you with a smile and “Welcome Home.”
Printed on the inside of the obituary was a hand-written message from Judy with all her love, reading:
“As you go on your way, may God go with you. May He go behind you to encourage you, beside you to befriend you, above you to watch over you, and within you to give you peace. Thank you all for walking life’s journey with me. God bless! Love, Me. XO (with her radiant smiling picture).
P.S. As we got in the car to leave, I am sure I heard a female voice singing, “My Way,” the well-known song by Elvis. Judy, was that you singing?
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.